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Psychology 1010

Reflection

            Human nature and other psychological phenomenon has always been a fascinating mystery to me.  I have always questioned why people act the way that they do and why they make certain choices.  When I graduated from high school, I attended Idaho State University where I took a psychology course and as a 19 year old young woman, I don’t think that I appreciated everything that I was learning.  I also don’t think that I was able to integrate what I had been taught with everyday events.  In my quest to become a nurse, I have learned that the concepts that had been imparted had relevance for what I was attempting to do with my professional career.  Since becoming a nurse and having dealt with some complicated and complex patients, I came to realize that I needed to take a refresher course in psychology. 

            Working at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital had put me in contact with patients that are usually in crisis mode.  Understanding personalities and coping mechanisms is such an important part of understanding and caring for my patients.  There are some patients who are surrounded by an extensive support group and can better cope with diagnosis and treatment options while other patients lack such a support group.  It is this group of patients that I am trying to better serve.  Having an understating of how certain things affect people and understanding stages of development had made it easier for me to connect with these patients.  I find that there are different approaches that I can use when dealing with certain people based on where they are at in there development process.  I have become a better nurse since taking this course.

            While this class has helped me progress professionally, I have also found this class to be very challenging.  The different social experiments have broadened my perspective and helped me to understand my family and friends better.  I have had some interesting conversations with my husband and learned more about his opinions.  I have had some lengthy discussions with my son, which have been every enlightening.  Discovering what a young child thinks about certain subjects makes me view children differently.  They comprehend so much more than I had previously given them credit for and often time surprise me with their insight.  They might have a simplistic approach to the deeper questions of life but they have also taught me that simple solutions are sometimes better.  I can remember talking to my son about the man who stole the medications in order to save his wife’s life.  He was so matter-of-fact with his response and it was so simple, “A person’s life is more important than money.”  Such as simple statement and yet, profound truth.  I have learned from strangers and coworkers.  I have learned from classmates and religious leaders.  It always amazes me how much I learn when I am willing to speak with people.

            I have also been challenged in creating a website which is something I never thought I would ever have to do.  The subject matter, decision making, was a fascinating topic to research.  The brain is such a mystery.  I often wonder what takes place in the brain when I am trying to make a decision or recalling a memory.  I know there are chemical reactions that take place and that synapses are firing but to have the opportunity to research the topic has been very educational and has prompted me to continue researching new information pertaining to brain activity.   As new information is presented, I hope that it will help me become a better nurse especially for my patients that are diagnosed with brain tumors.

            Overall, this class was very rewarding and expanded my knowledge base.  I feel that because of what I have learned that I will be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and nurse.  People are amazing.  If I have learned nothing else from this class I have definitely learned that lesson.  People have amazing abilities to overcome so much and to cope with so many things.  There is such a variety of personalities that makes each person unique and yet make each person so similar.  However, even with all of these vast differences, people are able to make deep and meaningful connections with one another.  For these reasons and so many more, I will forever be fascinated with the human race.

I created a website. To view this page, please click on this hyperlink: http://ifonlyicoulddecide.weebly.com/